The job outlook for mental health workers is promising. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 125,200 mental health social worker jobs in 2018. Between 2018 and 2028, the job outlook is projected to grow 11%, amounting to 81,200 new social worker jobs. This is much faster than average compared to all occupations.

If you’re interested in helping others to overcome their problems and improve their emotional health, continue reading to learn about the typical job duties of a mental health social worker, how to become one, the salary outlook and more.

What is a Mental Health Social Worker?

Living with a mental illness can present challenges for many individuals, families, and communities. For some people, mental illnesses can make day to day life difficult. Mental health social workers play a critical role in improving overall wellbeing and mental health in our society. They spend their time assessing, diagnosing, treating and preventing mental, behavioral and emotional issues. Some mental illnesses that they address include depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder.

In addition to working with clients directly, they also provide therapy in individual, group and family settings, depending on the circumstances. If you have a passion for helping those who are challenged with living with mental illness, a mental health social work profession may be right for you.

How to Become a Mental Health Social Worker

Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field like psychology.Step 2: Complete a Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in social work may be able to complete their master’s in less than one year, with an advanced standing MSW program.Step 3: Complete a social work internship or practicum during which you work with clients experiencing mental health issues. Not all states require this step for licensure as a mental health social worker. However, to obtain licensure as a clinical social worker, graduates of MSW programs must complete, on average, two years of post-MSW clinical experience hours.Step 4: Obtain licensure in the state in which you want to practice. Social work licensure requirements vary by state.

What Does a Mental Health Social Worker Do?

Roles & Responsibilities

The work of a mental health social worker will depend on their work environment (private practice vs. working for a non-profit, for example) and how they provide treatment (individual vs. group, for example). They may gain clients based on referrals in the setting they work in or clients may seek them out through therapist services and recommendations. They perform work that is similar to counselors and they make up one of the largest groups of mental health service providers. They work with at-risk and vulnerable populations as well.

Typically, healthcare social workers:

Intake clients’ needs based on their unique history and current situation

Help clients cope with life stress and mitigate issues like hopelessness, apathy, anger, sadness and fighting

Work productively with client’s to help achieve their goals and make meaningful contributions

Increase client’s will to live impactful lives

They may also facilitate support groups, such as those for addiction. They also work with other healthcare professionals like doctors in a hospital setting or with school administrators if they’re treating student clients.

Where Do Mental Health Social Workers Work?

Mental health social workers work in a variety of settings, including private practice, hospitals, mental health clinics, community health organizations, primary care facilities and rehabilitation treatment centers. According to the BLS, the largest employers of social workers in 2018 were:

What Skills Do Mental Health Social Workers Possess?

Due to the nature of social work, excellent communication skills are crucial. Practitioners in this field need to be able to build a rapport with their clients, ensuring each one develops enough trust to share what they’re going through and follow the social worker's recommendations.

People in this field must also have exceptional emotional and interpersonal skills. Social workers need to exhibit empathy and compassion, as their clients are often undergoing stressful situations.

Mental health professionals must have a passion for problem-solving. They devise and recommend solutions for their clients’ unique needs. They must also be organized since their work requires filling out paperwork, documenting the treatment and managing client appointments.

There are healthcare social worker roles in all types of environments like these. Some social workers also seek out positions in leadership roles, such as administration in nonprofits or in hospital administration.

Studying to become a mental health social worker can be possible no matter where you live, thanks to online MSW programs. Online MSW programs are taught by accredited universities and teach the skills needed for fulfilling careers. Students can take classes at their own pace, in the pleasure of their home, which is convenient because they don’t have to relocate to learn. Earn your degree while continuing to work and prepare for the future of your dreams.